New campaign warns any level of regular drinking raises risk of breast cancer

Fewer than 4/10 (38%) of North East women are aware of the link between alcohol and breast cancer - despite evidence that any level of regular drinking raises the risks.

That is the finding of a new survey from Balance as a campaign launches across the region urging women to reduce their drinking and reduce the risks.

It also found that nearly one in five North East women (19%) are drinking above the Chief Medical Officer’s recommended limit of drinking no more than 14 units per week to stay “low risk” from a range of health conditions, including cancer .

Balance, the North East Alcohol Office, is relaunching its Spot of Lunch campaign across TV, online and Facebook in a bid to inform women across the region to help them make more informed choices.

Latest figures show one in seven UK females will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime , but that nearly a quarter of cases (23%) are preventable . Any level of regular drinking increases the risks - it is estimated drinking two units a day causes one extra woman out of every 50 to develop breast cancer . The North East has higher rates of alcohol-related breast cancer than the average for England . Figures also show that breast cancer accounts for more than one in two alcohol-related cancers for women in the North East .

People are being encouraged to visit the campaign website at www.reducemyrisk.tv/ for facts and myths, real stories and tips to reduce drinking, including taking more drink free days with the One You Drink Free Days app.

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